Vodafone Tracking where you go.

CallCenterWorker

For your information, I have recently discovered earlier today, that within a month or two, vodafone will be using something called 'footfall' to track all vodafone users in certain locations. It mentioned shopping centers round the uk were going to use this information to help with designing their buildings and shopping experiences, by seeing 'what different groups of people do, where they go and how they shop'. Meaning that they will be giving certain parts of our own personal information to third parties.

They say that the data is anonymous, and that customers can opt out, but ANY phone connected to the network, has GPS or WIFI can technically be tracked. Also I have seen no information of this in the public so far, and from where we are we can see this is unlikely to change.

I will try and find more information as soon as possible.

I would recommend that you ask vodafone that NO data of yours is given to ANY third party without your consent.

forgotmyname

You think they dont do this already?

Any phone switched on and connected to the network can be tracked.

It doesnt need GPS or WIFI. Just a signal.

Stick your phone next to a powered speaker and listen for the beeps... See how often it connects.
And Voda seem fairly bad. If i put an O2 SIM in my phone the battery will last much longer.

Vodafone SIMS eat the batteries. My old N97mini used to last a day or 2. 5 - 7 Days with an O2 SIM...
Similar results with my Galaxy S2. It will go a week without a charge with no SIM. And i get get over 5 days with the Sainsbury's SIM offered recently.

Bollotom

I often go walkabout at Westfield Stratford but haven't bought anything yet. Just like browsing so it's a bit of a dead exercise. I have Vodafone and I'm more worried about the times that show me as having downloaded stuff when I haven't. Knowing where I am is a non starter for advertising anything. :cool:

dealer_wins

Dont take your phone with you when you intend to murder someone.

Sally22_2

iPhones already do this!!

If you go to Settings - Privacy - Location Services - Scroll to bottom and choose System Services - Frequent Locations

It will then list history of where you have recently been and you can click each place and view on a map. Obviously you can turn it off but your phone still gives off signal etc to nearest phone masts etc.

vyle

Oh my, you'll REALLY hate it when you find out that vodafone power the live services on tom-toms and already use sim-locations to track traffic flow.

This might be a new use, but it's nowhere near a new practice. you've been tracked for years.

Jakg

Vodafone (and all other mobile networks in the UK) log what cell mast your connected to during a billable event (i.e. a call, SMS or GPRS usage) anyway.

Gordon_Hose

Don't forget to shield your thoughts...